Progress of harvest in Saskatchewan matches five-year average

Harvest is right on schedule in Saskatchewan.

According to the weekly crop report from the Ministry of Agriculture, harvest is 16 per cent done in the province, matching the five-year average for this time of year.

Farmers in the southwest region of the province have 45 per cent of their crop in the bin, with producers in the west-central region 19 per cent done. Harvest is six per cent done in the southeast, four per cent complete in the east-central area, and one per cent done in the north.

“For many producers in the wetter areas of the province, harvest will not begin for another week or more as their crops have not matured yet,” the report read.

So far, 63 per cent of the winter wheat, 36 per cent of the fall rye, 52 per cent of the lentils, 43 per cent of the field peas, 30 per cent of the durum, six per cent of the spring wheat and three per cent of the canola has been combined.

According to the report, recent rains in some areas have either paused harvest operations or have kept crops from ripening enough to allow harvest to start. However, most farmers want rain after harvest is done to recharge soil moisture.

Cropland topsoil moisture currently is rated at one per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 26 per cent short and 17 per cent very short. Hay and pastureland topsoil moisture is considered three per cent surplus, 52 per cent adequate, 29 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.

Across the province, pasture conditions are rated as six per cent excellent, 37 per cent good, 28 per cent fair, 16 per cent poor and 13 per cent very poor. The ministry noted pastures haven’t fared that well in the southwest and west-central regions due to dry conditions this year.

The report said some crops in the province were damaged during the week by wind, rain and hail. Insects also remain an issue.

“Grasshoppers continue to cause large amounts of crop loss, with producers already worried about what their population next year will be and how they will manage to control them,” the report said.